Atomic Cup
Brandts and Maupin kick off the new season in style
Facebook Saturday photo album available HERE
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Chris Denslow (Digital Roostertails) Friday photo album available HERE
Chris Denslow (Digital Roostertails) Saturday photo album available HERE
Chris Denslow (Digital Roostertails) Sunday photo album available HERE
After just a single race in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, R/CU's members were eager to get going in 2021. The return to racing brought us to Two Rivers Park in Finley, WA. Typically the Tri-Cities delivers some good weather, but Mother Nature was extra good this weekend. 85 degree days, cloudless skies, and barely a hint of wind meant that the racers and boats were in perfect conditions.
The good weather and return to racing brought a large field; 57 total boats were entered across the four classes! We had 32 nitro boats, 12 FE boats, 10 gas scale, and 3 1/10th scale electric boats. On site was also a decent crowd of hydro fans, who came out to enjoy the weather and watch the boat racing action.
The racing action was intense throughout the day, and soon the finals were upon us. The season-opening Atomic Cup was up for grabs, and everyone was going for gold.
1/10th Scale Electric
1968 Myr's Sheet Metal, Mason Dunn
1970 Miss Budweiser, John Olson
1971 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Ron Cole
The 1/10th scale electrics ran 4 heats. It was highlighted by 9-year old Mason Dunn, making his R/CU debut! Mason kept it clean and even logged his first victory. We look forward to seeing him more in R/CU.
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1982 Gilmore Special, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1990 Infinity Car Audio, Scott Meyers
3rd: 1982 Executone, Henry Oord
4th (DNF): 1983 Miss Houston, Brian Packer
5th (DNF): 1971 Country Boy, John Olson
6th (DNF): 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte
At the starting line, it was John Olson in lane 1 with the brand-new Country Boy, while Dave Brandt and Scott Meyers carried speed in lanes 2 and 3. The Atlas was the first to retire, as it ingested water going into the first turn. Next, the Country Boy caught a gust and flipped in the right turn. That set a duel for all 5 laps. Dave Brandt and the Gilmore had struggled throughout the day, but found speed and was able to stay in front in lane 1. The Infinity Car Audio looked quicker on the water, but struggled to find clean water just outside of the Gilmore. Scott tried to hold tight on the final turn, but the boat caught some rough water and Dave Brandt took home the victory.
FE Consolation
1st: 2008 Formulaboats.com (U-5), Brady Brackett
2nd: 1981 Captran Resorts, Jason Colean
3rd (DNF): 2006 Graham Trucking, Rob Brackett
Brady Brackett marked his R/CU debut with a clean run in the consolation heat, taking the victory and advancing to the final over the Captran and the new Graham Trucking.
FE Final
1st: 1987 Eliminator, Bill Brandt
2nd: 1986 Mr. Pringle's, Jim Brittain
3rd: 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
4th: 1983 Atlas Van Lines, Rich Matkin
5th: 2008 Formulaboats.com, Brady Brackett
6th (DNF): 1984 Atlas Van Lines, Don Mock
7th (DNF): 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Paxton Reunanen
Paxton in the KISW Miss Rock took the apparent early lead, but cut a buoy in the left turn to incur a 1-lap penalty. That put Bill Brandt into the lead with the recently-purchased Eliminator (converted from a nitro boat). Don Mock was giving chase behind in the Atlas Van Lines, and was slowly reeling in the Eliminator. Going into the final turn, the Atlas tried to make a move on the inside lane. The boat caught a gust, barrel-rolling and discarding its cowling. The Eliminator made the same barrel roll, but landed right-side up and pointing in the correct direction. Bill gunned the throttle, and in a drag race to the line was able to beat the hard-charging Pringle's boat with Jim Brittain.
Nitro Second Consolation
1st: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
2nd: 2010 Superior Racing, Jeff Griffin
3rd: 2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson
4th (DNS): 1980 Miss Budweiser, Joey Caines
The Superior Racing and Matrix Auto Systems were called for jumping the gun. This incurred a 1-lap penalty, and Geoffry Grembowski cruised around to take the victory and advance to the first consolation.
Nitro First Consolation
1st: 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson
2nd: 1988 Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers
3rd: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
4th: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
DNS: 1983 Miss Houston, Steve Roman
DNS: 1978 Miss Circus Circus, Mike Malloy
The 2019 drivers' and boat champion found himself in the first consolation, but Fred blitzed the competition to advance to the final as a trailer.
Nitro Final
1st: 1976 Miss Vernors, Kirk Maupin
2nd: 1971 Country Boy, John Olson
3rd: 1978 Squire Shop, Dave Brandt
4th: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Mike Cathey
5th (DNF): 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson
6th (DNF): 2016 Spirit of Qatar, Adam Putich
7th (DNS): 2003 Llumar Window Films, Paul Jackson
Unfortunately, the Llumar broke a throttle linkage right before the race, allowing Fred Olson to start the final on the front line. As they came to the start, all 6 boats were side-by-side! The Spirit of Qatar was in lane 1 but did not get a great start, so John Olson and the Country Boy took the inside lane through the first turn. Olson had the lead initially, but Kirk Maupin surged ahead on the outside and never look back. Dave Brandt overtook Adam Putich when the Spirit of Qatar flipped to take the final podium space.
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April 12-14
Location: Two Rivers Park, Finley, WA
Contest Director: Dave, Bill, and Brenda Brandt
Schedule
See above
Previous Race Winners:
Race held in Two Rivers Park, Finley, WA 2001-present
Race held in Columbia Park, Kennewick, WA 2000
-2021: Kirk Maupin (1976 Miss Vernors) [nitro], Bill Brandt (1987 Eliminator) [FE], Dave Brandt (1982 Gilmore Special) [gas]
-2020: Race cancelled due to COVID-19
-2019: Kirk Maupin (1976 Miss Vernors) [nitro], Rob Brackett (2008 Formulaboats.com II) [FE]
-2018: Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame) [nitro] and Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame) [FE]
-2017: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2011 Valken Sports) [FE]
-2016: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2011 Valken Sports) [FE]
-2015: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2008 Formulaboats.com) [FE]
-2014: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and Bob Brackett (2011 Graham Trucking) [FE]
-2013: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and John Olson (1997 Close Call) [FE]
Prior to 2013, only nitro class run
-2012: Dave Brandt (2008 Miss Elam Plus)
-2011: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products)
-2010: David Newton (1993 Miss Budweiser)
-2009: David Newton (2008 Spirit of Detroit)
-2008: Scott Meyers (1994 Miss Exide)
-2007: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2006: Dave Blacksten (1998 Llumar Window Film)
-2005: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2004: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2003: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-2002: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2001: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-2000: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)